‘Aha Niu: Maui Nui Coconut Celebration Festival

Date: Saturday, June 13th, 2026 from 9am - 3pm
Location: Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, 150 Kanaloa Ave, Kahului.
Free parking across the street at the War Memorial Stadium parking lot
Cost: Free & open to the community with registration

On Saturday, June 13th, the Maui community is invited to gather at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens for a day dedicated to honoring and revitalizing niu (coconut) as a multi-use, culturally significant Hawaiian canoe plant and staple crop.

At ‘Aha Niu, cultural practitioners, farmers, educators, chefs, and families will come together for hands-on workshops, moʻolelo, and coconut-centered food and crafts. Through workshops, the whole ʻohana will have the opportunity to learn how to weave pāpale lau niu, make cordage from the husk (kaula niu), prepare ʻapu ʻawa, and plant and sprout niu (kanu niu), along with food processing and cooking demonstrations. Cultural practitioners and niu farmers will hold space for moʻolelo and conversations about stewardship and the future of niu in Hawaiʻi. Educational and non-profit booths will share information and resources, including how to identify, report, and mitigate the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB). Food and craft vendors will demonstrate niu’s versatility, highlighting traditional and contemporary uses of this staple crop.

The hope is that this festival reconnects Maui Nui with niu as a living resource that nourishes, shelters, and sustains. A free niu sprout giveaway (while supplies last) will help families bring that commitment into their backyards and kitchens.

Space is limited, register today! https://bit.ly/3QtP3JS

Volunteering is a great way to connect with the niu community, sign up here: https://swettehawaii.ivolunteer.com/ahaniu2026